Franck Gastambide knows how to transform his passions into creations. After the rap for the series Valid on Canal+, it is his favorite sport, MMA, that he focuses on The Cagefive testosterone-infused episodes available on Netlfix this Friday. He goes there as coach of a young boxer ready to do anything to succeed (Melvin Boomer, astonishing in charisma and energy).
Nervous fights are not the only assets of a series which allows you to discover behind the scenes of the industry. If Franck Gastambide clearly loves boxing and boxers, he takes his subject seriously enough to not only show the good sides of this very masculine world. The forty-year-old confided in 20 Minutes on a unique journey which has allowed him to mature since his crazy comedies like Pattaya or Taxi 5.
Is “La Cage” only for MMA fans?
I tried to introduce MMA to people who know nothing about it, while still pleasing the fans. As Valid was for rap, The Cage is a kind of journey into the world of MMA that tries to be as close to reality as possible. There too, I mixed actors with real specialists. Champions, legends of this sport, journalists, coaches play their own role. It was a way of making the whole thing credible, of showing people behind the scenes of a sport that is increasingly popular.
How is your hero like you?
He's not a prodigy but a hard worker. He's closer to Rocky than Mike Tyson. Tyson was some kind of incredible prodigy, and Rocky was the one that no one believed in, and who had to work harder than the others to succeed. I find myself in this determination. I worked like crazy to combat the dyslexia that torpedoed my school career. Work, self-sacrifice and surpassing oneself are values in which I recognize myself and which athletes share. These are the ones I want to pass on.
Is the world of MMA as macho as you show it in the series?
We must not forget that many women have become very big stars in this sport. Some became so famous that Sylvester Stallone hired them to Expendables. Women also have big responsibilities in this environment. Now, I recognize that it's a violent sport so it's a rather virile atmosphere, but it's evolving.
Do you find that the image of men is also changing?
Of course and that's a good thing. And it's even more important to show it when you're exposed like I am. We have a responsibility especially towards young people. I try to behave well, to do my best to project a positive image of a man who is protective but not naughty. It doesn't take any effort because it comes naturally to me. That's my idea of a good guy. That said, the fact of having good behavior does not prevent the haters and the jealous from pouring out their gall and their lies. Cyberbullying is particularly an evil of our time. I try not to pay attention to it even though it often seems unfair. Social media helps promote projects and I use them. They can also generate hatred. As I got older, I became philosophical: I know that the two go hand in hand and that we have to deal with it.
How do you see yourself maturing?
I continue to appear in my projects because the broadcasters ask me to, but I want to highlight others. This is why I took on the role of coach that suited me and in which I was credible. It was funny to me because I realized that I was the age of Melvin Boomer's father, the main actor of the series. I started by making buddy films like The Kaïras et Pattaya and I'm no longer a friend but a kind of big brother. I have moved into the daron clan now.
How do you view this development?
Times change, tastes and mentalities too. I try to adapt while remaining myself. At the start of my career, I wanted to show people who weren't talked about much. As someone from the suburbs, I wanted to tell the story of my life as a suburban guy. I have evolved but not changed. I continue to put passion into my projects and it seems that the public is ready to follow me as they did for Valid. I've been a fan of MMA for ten years but I also stay in tune with today's world. For me, these boxers are real superheroes. They engage in a game of chess between top athletes which fascinates me. However, I am not trying to hide the problems that toxic attitudes can generate. The series also addresses topics that, in my opinion, are not really specific to MMA and which speak to the man I am today.
What are the themes that particularly affect you?
The series also deals with the problem of frustration and jealousy. The consequences of success, the pressure of social networks, the surroundings which can sometimes change and become malicious are familiar to me. It's a reality that I wanted to talk about because it is part of sport but also other professions. An ascent is not done in peace. It attracts malice. It's even worse when you also have to enter a cage to face for twenty minutes someone who wants you harm. You really need a mind of steel.
Do you feel like a fighter in your profession?
It's not as physical. We fight to set up our projects, to carry them out and then to defend them once they are finished. Here too, some people dream of seeing you fail. Especially when they aren't as successful as you. A few hours before the series is released worldwide, I know that my work and I are going to be exposed. Starting a series is like fighting a fight. I am ready to enter the cage to receive love as well as blows.
